Important information

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. By continuing to use our site, you consent to Steel Media's
privacy policy.

Steel Media websites use two types of cookie: (1) those that enable the site to function and perform as required; and (2) analytical cookies which anonymously track visitors only while using the site. If you are not happy with this use of these cookies please review our Privacy Policy to learn how they can be disabled. By disabling cookies some features of the site will not work.

Gorilla Gondola Review

PROS

Very bombastic and immersive soundtrack for each world (and the menu screen).

Slow introduction of new gameplay obstacles and elements each phase.

CONS

Sometimes hard to differentiate between an obstacle and the background.

Too easy to put your gondola in harm's way due to a troublesome down swipe mechanic.

VERDICT

An inventive game with a great presentation. The play experience is a little more frustrating than it needs to however, and might turn some players off.

Full Review

App Store Info

If the SNES Classic Donkey Kong Country has taught us anything, it's that an ape will go to any length for bananas. Even travel by hazardous ski lift apparently. In Gorilla Gondola you are enabling this Gorilla's banana habit as you travel through exotic locations, trying your hardest not to have his gondola smash on the rocks. How would he travel without it?

The first thing you'll notice upon loading up Gorilla Gondola is the catchy beat pumping out over the menu screen. The second thing upon loading up the first level are the lush visuals. In presentation, this game gets high marks indeed. The landscapes just spring off the screen allowing you to breathe them in while the soundtrack makes its presence felt without seeming overbearing. The only misstep is that sometimes the obstacles don't differentiate themselves from the background enough and you can find your gondola pressed up against an oppressive cliff-face as the screen rolls in.

The controls don't exactly help in this matter. Oh it's nothing terrible, just what we'd call another misstep. The gondola moves left and right via tilting. Swiping up makes the gorilla jump, allowing bananas and items to be collected that are above you. It's not enough to have the gorilla avoid obstacles though, the gondola needs to do the same, and to move under many of the obstacles you need to jump up, then swipe down to shove the gondola and the line underneath. The problem is that even after playing a few levels, the urge to just swipe down to move the gondola down still fought the knowledge of having to jump first, and especially in situations where you have to quickly jump and slam to get through unscathed, this just leads to frustration.

Luckily death can be cheated by quickly tapping the obstacle to remove it from play. How's that for a special power, the ability to move mountains. So while Gorilla Gondola has amazing production values and a host of fun items and levels, the core mechanics just fell short of enjoyment for us here at AppSpy. Others may find their results different so if this looks like some fun to you, don't be afraid to embrace your banana lust and give it a go.

Description

Join the unlikely pair of a Gorilla on a Gondola as they embark on an entirely original quest through mountains, deserts and space! Navigate both the silverback and the ski lift through danger and collect as many of Gorilla's favourite snacks as possible.

What the press say:
------------------
"Gorilla Gondola is a fast, mesmerizing action-puzzler among the best on the iOS. [...] The worlds themselves are composed of hand painted, multilayered masterpieces [...] I would be remiss not to mention the soundtrack as it’s truly exceptional." - HUGEGAMER.COM, 9/10
------------------
"I’ve used the phrase 'drop dead gorgeous' to describe iOS games before, but now I realize I should have reserved that description for this one — Gorilla Gondola is the best looking 2D title on the platform right now, hands-down. [...] controls are perfectly suited to the platform and its tilt physics feel just right." - IFANZINE.COM, 4/5
------------------
"Gorilla Gondola is charming and refreshing [...] from visuals to sound design, the quality certainly stands out." - GAMEZEBO.COM, 4/5
------------------
"Despite the extremely simple controls, there is so much to this game! [...] Crisp visuals, great artistic design, smooth frame rate, no pixelation, awesome music. [...] If you want a fun, challenging, and fresh game, check out Gorilla Gondola!" - WMPOWERUSER.COM, 5/5
------------------
"Gorilla Gondola is serious fun [...] the superb graphics, innovative controls and music you won't get out of your head make the game a surprise hit - and maybe a future iOS classic." - IPLAYAPPS.DE, 8/10
------------------
"Gorilla Gondola adds a fun variation to the runner-mechanic, sort of a 'swipe & jump' game. The graphics show high production values, and you won't get the 80s-pop title track with its "Go, go, go, go, Gorilla!" vocal out of your head." - GAMERSGLOBAL.DE, App of the week
------------------
"Gorilla Gondola is a quality release, with responsive controls, good graphics and energetic music. The gameplay feels fresh and there's definitely skill involved with bouncing the gondola through the tight spots." - TOUCHARCADE.COM
------------------
"The game convinces us due to its innovative scenario and the well-conceived controls. [..] Gorilla Gondola is a different kind of game, which makes it well worth the money." - APPFLUSSREINIGER.DE, 3/3
------------------
"The Electric Pixel Factory have created an intriguing title here, and one that I think you should all try out." - ALLABOUTWINDOWSPHONE.COM, 81/100
------------------

Jump, stomp and tilt your way through a variety of ever-changing action packed levels, collect powerups and use your skill to get high scores in this high energy, action-packed, bouncy adventure. You've never played anything quite like it!

* 8 Stunning levels that will never play the same thanks to a dynamic level generator! Take Gorilla & Gondola to places they have never been before: Alpine meadows, caverns, snow-capped mountains, big city lights, underwater, scorching deserts, a high-tech factory and even space. Each level offers unique gameplay and challenges.
* Fluid controls. Gorilla Gondola makes full use of your device's sensors. Swipe to control Gorilla, tap to interact with items and tilt to sway the gondola.
* Beautiful hand painted art. Gorilla Gondola delights the eyes with colourful, detailed sprites and multi-layered backdrops.
* High energy soundtrack. Every level has its own theme tune to tap your foot to.
* Huge high score grabbing potential! Skilled play is rewarded with massive bonus multipliers.
* Full Game Center support including high scores for each level, overall stats and 24 achievements to bolster your gamerscore!

Gorilla Gondola is great fun for all ages, simple enough to be played on a short break, and deep enough to reward those that master it.

Don't be shy, you can find us on:
www.gorillagondola.com[email protected]
www.facebook.com/electricpixelfactory